Parmi Voleurs (A PIT Case, Closed)

[Maurepas]

OOC thread, with background information

New Orleans, 9th Ward

That hurt, Hebert thought as he took a punch to the face. Taking beatings seemed to be his specialty since joining the PIT. He’d been in his apartment in New Orleans, the metropolitan anchor, and heart of Maurepas, it was a spartan existence, not even a home base really, just a place to get the mail sent to, as he needed to be frequently on the move for Guilds business.

Which, brings us to why he’s in this pickle with the busted forehead. Hebert worked for a crime syndicate of thieves, mafiosos, and assassins known as The Guilds of New Orleans…and he’d displeased them. “You was given an assignment, mon amis.” the assassin said, his name was Beau Bergeron, he was related to a high ranking Guilds family, and despite a woman coming between them some time ago, the two had been friends since Hebert’s school days, course, the Guilds never did have much respect for family or friends when it got in their way, yet another one of their failings, he thought, “you know what dat means.”, Bergeron continued as he came in for another swing, Hebert was ready this time though, and brought up the cane he’d purchased in Muravyets, he heard a sickening crunch as it connected with the man’s nose beneath his black mask, “AAGRH! Fuck I’ll-”, but his curse was cut short as Hebert brought the other end of the cane down on the man’s hand, pinning him to the ground.

“You gon’ sit there an’ listen’s what you gon’ do, Beau.”, he said, lighting a cigarette and pulling out his Navy Revolver, pointing it at the assassin, he continued, “I figure you didn’t come here to kill me, or I’d already be dead, so when you go back, you tell your boss that I got someone who can actually help us here, I didn’t fail, I just got side-tracked is all.”, and with that he let the man off the ground, took a drag and put out the cigarette, all the while never moving the gun he still had pointed at him. “Errghm, that’s what da boss thought you’d say, but, merde! You didn’t have to break my goddamned nose, Wil!”, the man said as he got up, using his mask to cup the blood on his face, “Shouldn’ta busted my forehead, Beau”, Hebert said stiffly, “Well, dey ordered me to bust ya up, you know how it goes, he got a meetin place set up at the Silver Slipper down in Bay St. Louis, meet ‘em there.”, he said, trailing off as he exited through the window.

With that, Hebert grabbed a wet washcloth and drank some headache powders for his forehead, grabbed a chair next to his laptop:

Code: Select all

Karel, I gotta favour to ask ya, I know I owe you a lot more than you owe me, but, I ain’t gotta choice, I’m sending you a copy of the case I submitted to PIT HQ, and directions to the meeting place from the Airport, they turned me down at the time, said that there were others awaiting investigation, but, this is my home, and it’s in trouble, I know you got influence over the group, see what you can get for me,

   Sincerely, your friend,
William Hebert.


---------------------

The Silver Slipper


The next day Hebert took a train outta New Orleans, high-speed rail linked the major cities in Maurepas, he’d heard part of the track had been damaged by a recent storm near Pensacola, but, he was getting off long before then. From the train-station in Bay St. Louis he took a streetcar down to the Silver Slipper, it was one of the newer casino-resorts that had boomed out of the Maurepasan capital of Biloxi, when that city fully legalized gambling. It was named in honor of another such resort in a more famous gambling town, but, it looked decent enough.

Normally, he would’ve played a few hands to get a feel for the tables, but, upon entry, the receptionist had apparently been informed of his description, and ordered to send him up to the VIP suites. The old man was waiting for him in the hallway when he exited the elevator. “Will, mon garçon, why’d you bloody up Beau?”, he said. “Look, next time you wanna get ahold’a me, without old boy getting his ass beat, you might tell him to just talk, I done gotta headache ever since…”, Hebert replied, rubbing his temple.


“Will, Will, Will, you know I can’t do ya any different. Politics you know how it goes with failu-” “HEY!”, Hebert interrupted, “I didn’t fail, you didn’t tell me why I was joinin that god forsaken organization! I submitted your case, like you said, but even I run into bureaucracy sometimes, you think they gave me a choice? I been bustin my ass tryin to get back to you! Least ya could do is show a little respect!” he said, “now listen, I got us somebody that can solve our dilemma here, he’s a higher up, should work out fine, and I’ll wave my fee for this one, it’s on the house.”, Hebert finished. The old man chuckled softly, “The Guilds don’t see it the way you do Wil, they see your tardiness as failure, whether you think it is or not, and they know I gotta soft spot for ya. I might be needin a little somethin more to make sure your punishment not be a little more…exorbitant”, he said, a smirk on his face.


A bribe, always how it is with the Guilds, Hebert thought with a sigh, “Aight, name your terms, boss.” , he said. “For you, I keep it simple, an extra 20% o’your normal-” “Make it ten,” Hebert interrupted, “Call it a mental anguish fee, in return for showin restraint and not splatterin you right then and there.”, he finished. The old man chuckled again, “Fine, ten it is, mon ami,” he said, “just make sure you don’t fail us again”, he finished, poking Hebert in the chest as he opened the door to the VIP suite, then turned abruptly and left.

Hebert turned the light on, on the surface it looked like a normal hotel suite, but, after turning the light on where the living room with all the amenities associated should be, there stood a conference table, with the file for his case in the middle, still signed in his handwriting Parmi Voleurs. With a sigh, Hebert turned the light off in that room, and entered the bedroom, ordered up a bottle of Bourbon and a Tatuaje cigar from room service, opened up his laptop, connected to the hotel server, and awaited a reply from his friend…

[Muravyets]

Sunshine filtered through the curtains of the kitchen of the 18th century villa in the ancient city of White Springs, Republic of Muravyets. In the garden outside, the birds did their usual morning hopping about and chirping, bees hovered about the flowers. The sounds of the city around the house were distant, hardly noticeable, buffered by the large gardens and the quiet residential street. Inside, the well equipped room was filled with the delicious smells of fresh coffee, fried eggs and ham.

Karel Hrabak was still in pajamas although the morning was half gone already. The blue-striped pants lay loose over his lean legs and hips, a white shirt hung open on his shoulders, revealing the blue-black tattoos that covered his torso like an arcane script. His silver gray hair was still damp from a shower. He sat at the large kitchen table and spread butter on a thick slab of black bread. A plate of eggs and ham lay next to his laptop computer, and a large mug of black coffee steamed patiently beside them both. Dipping the buttered bread into the yolk of an egg and taking a healthy bite, he laid the rest of the bread down and turned to check his email.

Code: Select all

Karel, I gotta favour to ask ya, I know I owe you a lot more than you owe me, but, I ain’t gotta choice, I’m sending you a copy of the case I submitted to PIT HQ, and directions to the meeting place from the Airport, they turned me down at the time, said that there were others awaiting investigation, but, this is my home, and it’s in trouble, I know you got influence over the group, see what you can get for me,

   Sincerely, your friend,
William Hebert.


Karel raised an eyebrow, then smiled. He had not seen William Hebert in some time, not since their last case had ended and that team had gone their ways, to their homes to catch up with their own lives. Now the man from Maurepas apologized for asking a favor? Karel would have none of that. He clicked the attachment and opened the file. He settled down to read it as he ate his late breakfast.

As the information scrolled across his screen, the descriptions of the reported phenomena, Karel's mind began ticking off possibilities, as it always did. In the end, he brushed his hands together to clear them of crumbs, took a sip of hot coffee, and began to type.

First, he pulled up the latest calendar of pending cases that PIT distributed to Team Leaders. He found Hebert's case down the list, not yet assigned a date or team. He clicked on it, opening a message window direct to the office of the PIT Director. Attaching Hebert's file, he wrote simply:

Code: Select all

I will take this one ASAP.  Kindly advise regarding available team members. Thank you, Karel Hrabak.

Next he wrote to Hebert:

Code: Select all

Favors owed?  Nonsense -  a good beer and we'll call it even.  The case is active.  Details will follow as I get them.  Where shall we meet?  -- K

[Maurepas]

Hebert had finished half the bottle, long since put out the Cigar bud, and was about to simply call it a night when refreshed his email for the final time:

Code: Select all

    Favors owed?  Nonsense -  a good beer and we'll call it even.  The case is active.  Details will follow as I get them.  Where shall we meet?  -- K

Hebert smiled, as he opened up a GPS route from the Biloxi Airport and replied:

Code: Select all

I know of just the beer I think actually, thanks boss. It's at a Casino-resort called the Silver Slipper in Bay St. Louis, Maurepas. There's a VIP suite that's been reserved for us, directions attached.

Hebert. 

Hebert was comforted by the fact that at least part of his plan was coming together, but as he closed the laptop and settled in, he couldn't shake the memory of La Quartier, and the words of the Guilds Boss, Corpses, walking corpses..., a shaky familiar feeling that he couldn't quite place made him shiver as he closed his eyes.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Sofiya padded quietly into the kitchen, her bare feet making hardly a sound. She was dressed in a simple grey cotton cami and matching shorts, her towel-dried hair put up in a simple twist. Crossing the room, she leaned down and wrapped her arms around Karel’s shoulders, kissing his cheek. She resisted the temptation to read over his shoulder, stealing a bite of ham from his plate instead.

“Buongiorno, Mr. Hrabak. Plans for today? I thought maybe we could take a lunch with us and check out that trail you mentioned the other day, if you didn’t have anything else in mind,” she said, trailing her hand down along his shoulder and arm as she began to pull away.

She of course, had several other things in mind, but left those unsaid as she shared one of her rare, uninhibited smiles with him, looking back down over her shoulder.





(ooc: scene-setting. if not accepted in the ooc, that's all my participation here will be.)

[Muravyets]

As Sofiya moved away, her fingers trailing lightly along his arm, Karel caught her around the waist and pulled her back, tugging up the bottom edge her cami with his free hand and indulging in a series of devouring kisses across her taut, smooth belly. He sensed her resisting in a teasing way.

"You're not getting away this time," he murmured laughingly against her soft skin. He breathed deep the scent of her, as he explored the camisole's possibilities with his hands and his kisses. Finally, with a deep sigh, he looked up at her.

"Yes," he said, "let's spend today outdoors together, because tomorrow, who knows? Our friend Hebert has a case. He says it's urgent. I already told him I'd take it. I'm sorry, I should have checked with you, but, well..." Karel paused, seeming a little thoughtful suddenly. "Hebert took a serious injury while following my direction in Dimoniquid, and he's stood by me in other tough situations as well. If I can help him now, I will."

Out of a new, unconscious habit, Karel's hand went to the small pouch hanging around his neck where before he had worn nothing, a tiny wallet of leather on a leather thong that he'd had made to carry the gris-gris bag Sofiya had given him, the protective charm filled with tokens of their time together. He turned the computer to face her.

"What do you think, Ms. Dolohov?" he asked softly, gazing up at her sideways, "Would you like to work with me on this one?"

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Sofiya playfully fought off his attentions, without any real effort to it, enjoying the teases while they lasted. She reached out and ruffled his hair as he paused, just because she could, then listened as he began explaining.

“I’m not sure we have a day to spend,” she began thoughtfully. “If he says it’s urgent, we ought to get there as soon as possible, don’t you think?”

The young woman offered him a knowing smile. “As if I’d let you get away so soon either. You needn’t check with me before doing what you need, you know. Especially when it’s the right thing to do. You wouldn’t be you if you started asking permission like that, no?”

“So,” she continued, stealing another little bite from his plate with a smugly satisfied look. “Now that we’ve settled the question of going, we ought to focus on when and how to get there, and what to pack. Care to share the details over breakfast?”

[Muravyets]

Considering her suggestion, Karel quickly clicked through a few web pages.

"Here's a flight, Muravyets to Maurepas, one changeover, leaves at six tonight, arrives six hours later." A few more clicks. "The weather in Maurepas this time of year is hot and humid with chances of rain. We can pack light. So..." He returned his attention to the camisole, "that gives us all afternoon to fill." (kiss) "But if you don't think that's time enough for a proper hike," (kiss) "there's always the garden..." (more kisses until...)

"Wait, that reminds me--" Quickly, Karel forwarded Hebert's directions to the Silver Slipper and instructions to be shown to the conference room set aside for them to the PIT Director's office, to be distributed to the assigned Team Members. He added a notation requesting Sofiya Dolohov to be on the team, which request was really more of a statement that she would be. Karel was aware that he got away with quite a lot with PIT, but he hoped he could deliver results to make it worth their while.

"Now then," he said as he hit the "send" button, "where were we? Ah, yes," that faint half smile, "what shall we do until it's time to go to the airport? Oh, and breakfast -- would you like some eggs?"

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

She quietly savored each and every little touch and kiss, idly toying with his hair, or letting her fingertips wander along his back and shoulders, amused at the memory of his lesson on ‘distraction’ that he’d given her at this table not oh so very long ago.

“I’ve a few thoughts in that direction,” she said slyly, letting her expression suggest much without offering any details otherwise. “And yes, thank you. I’ll just take a look at the case files in the meantime, if you don’t mind?”

Sofiya drew up a chair next to Karel’s, and stole the laptop away to do just that while the files were up and she didn’t have to pry. What she read had her brow creased and her eyes narrowed in distant thought for some time before she managed to speak again.

“This, now … this is interesting. These Guilds – they remind me in some ways of La Famiglia back home. Good to work with, bad to cross. Dicey spot to be in, all things considered. And if they’re a superstitious bunch to begin with, well …” She broke off, thoughtfully tapping her fingertips on the table. “There’s a lot of connections between the things I’ve been taught and know, and practices mentioned - the mindsets at least. But Vodun has never been my faith, and there’s a good lot of it that quite frankly puts the fear of God right in me. Talk of tithes, and walking dead, and ghosts, that all puts me in mind of what I’ve read on the Ghede Loa. Could be up against a dedicated Hougan. That could get … messy.”

Glancing over at Karel, she arches her brow questioningly. “I don’t suppose that book you’ve got tucked away for me might be of use in this? Shouldn’t leave out anything from our arsenal when so much is still unknown.”

[Muravyets]

As Sofiya sat down, Karel got up, leaving the computer to her. First, he poured her a fresh cup of coffee and set it down near her elbow, close to the jug of cream and bowl of sugar that had appeared in his kitchen since she'd started spending time in the White Springs house. With a smile, he commented, "I look forward to hearing your thoughts."

Then he turned to the refrigerator and took out a bowl of eggs, a paper-wrapped package of thick sliced ham, and a dish of butter, laying them on the counter next to the stove. He set the flame high to reheat the big cast iron skillet he'd rinsed out earlier. As the heat began to radiate from the iron, he listened to Sofiya's comments on Hebert's case file.

“This, now … this is interesting. These Guilds – they remind me in some ways of La Famiglia back home. Good to work with, bad to cross. Dicey spot to be in, all things considered. And if they’re a superstitious bunch to begin with, well …”

"Let's do our best not to cross them, then," Karel remarked. He coated the hot pan with sizzling butter and laid slabs of ham on it to brown, sending up sweet, hearty aroma.

"I just hope their expectations won't be too unrealistic. It's bad enough when regular superstitious people expect the moon, but, well," he threw her a knowing glance, "you know how I feel about people with guns in such situations." He laughed. "Since you've got a read on them already, you can be our diplomatic officer," he teased.

“There’s a lot of connections between the things I’ve been taught and know, and practices mentioned - the mindsets at least. But Vodun has never been my faith, and there’s a good lot of it that quite frankly puts the fear of God right in me. Talk of tithes, and walking dead, and ghosts, that all puts me in mind of what I’ve read on the Ghede Loa. Could be up against a dedicated Hougan. That could get … messy.”

Karel nodded as he poked the ham around in the butter. "I've had only very limited exposure to Vodun," he said, "and you're right to be careful of it. It can command a lot of power, but as with all things, it has the potential for good as well as bad. I believe that, unofficially, it is fairly widespread in that part of the world. Perhaps, we'll find some resources to help us."

He cracked three eggs, one-handed, one after the other into the butter and ham fat, setting up a huge loud sizzling. As the whites just started to turn solid, he shook the heavy skillet, causing the liquid albumen to cover the yolks in a thin skin that quickly cooked through.

"As for the rest," he said, as he slid two of the eggs and the ham onto a fresh plate, "when the dead are restless, they come to me. That's the main thing I think I can do for this case."

He brought her the plate and a fork, then he slid the remaining egg onto his own plate.

"The reports of walking dead would actually be the least of my concerns, personally," he said. "As you say, the one who made them walk is where this could get messy."

“I don’t suppose that book you’ve got tucked away for me might be of use in this? Shouldn’t leave out anything from our arsenal when so much is still unknown.”

Karel smiled again. "I was thinking the same thing. In fact, if we are dealing with formal magic here, I was thinking this might be a good case to practice some of your skills that we've been working on."

[Lynion]

Glasgow International Airport
0200 In the morning
Flight to Maurepas

“You’re ready for this?” Lucus uncle, David Longshanks, asked him as he watched a yawning Lucus stand quietly watching people aboard the flight.

“Yeah,” replied an unsure Lucus before he looked to his left where his girlfriend was smiling at him. He wasn't at the best comfortable leaving the homeland where most of his life was setup.

“Hey, I reckon you can do it and I’ve seen what you can do in Operation Vanquish,” stated back David with a smile.

“You’ll do great darling,” comforted Dalphina Davis with a very warm smile and then holding his hands in her warm hands.

“I know I will,” grinned Lucus as he kissed Dalphina gently on the lips before turning to his uncle. “I just wished we could’ve done more stuff together uncle,” suggested Lucus while feeling some doubt. “It would’ve being awesome to work with you,”

“Maybe one day we will Lucus,” smiled back David as he shaked Lucus’ hair. “Listen,” his uncle started as he came closer to Lucus. “If there are any investigations in Lynion, I’ll try my best and get there so I can see you in action. No promise’s Lucus,” David smiled at him causing Lucus to smile back warmly, letting go of Delphina and eventually the pair hug each other tightly. "Anyhow, I'll let you two have some space," David teased to the pair causing him to grin and then walked away from them. Delphina smiled again at him and Lucus blushed gently.

"6 hour flight into the unknown," grinned Delphina as her hair was neatly tied up into a ponytail. "You missed school days?"

"Not really Delphina," replied back Lucus hinting at their little trouble at school. "I actually perfer every day when we came to Lynion for holidays. No hassle, we could be ourselves and..." Lucus suddenly stopped as Delphina came a little closer to him.

"Just promise me you'll write whenever you can and go and play heroic's on me," Delphina interrupted in a soft voice causing him to blush. "Your uncle ain't the only one that wants you back in one piece," she smiled with a concern on her face. "Please come back in one piece...for me," she asked as he kissed her on the lips gently.

"I promise," promised Lucus before he heard the PA system.

“Flight to Maurepas is now boarding,” the PA voice announces. Lucus and Delphina quickly embrace in another kiss and they all say their goodbyes and Lucus promise he’ll come back for Delphina.

Present...

Lucus open his eyes again and took in a deep breath before looking around at the people around him. He wasn’t given any dossier’s on them, just recommendations on very few that was given to him by Headmaster Piece. In fact, he lost contact with the headmaster a few days ago and he started to wonder where he was from time to time. However, if he had spare time, he would think of his uncle and his girlfriend and just wonder how they were doing. Infact, during the 6 hour flight, Lucus wrote a six page letter about different things that happened in his life to Delphina. Different events he was involved in and issues just to pass the time. However, it was short lived when he arrived at the airport with only a few hours sleep but eager to find the place he was going to be stationed at.

The place he was staying at was the Casino-Resort called the Silver Slipper, sounded like the place they were investigating. It couldn't be by chance, however, when he walked towards the receptionists, he was asked for identification when he asked about the a room being booked by the PIT. He found it quite odd however, he was sure for security reasons and showed to items. One was his PIT Identification and the next was his Defence Force Identification, he was with the 108th Shadow Legion and couldn't resign since they resign through death itself. Nevertheless, he was given the nod and pointed in the right direction where he was meant to be going. With that bit of knowledge, Lucus took his leave and headed in the right direction.

Lucus' thoughts were to himself and he quietly observed the entire situation. People gambling their money on various games, tables and what he thought was a sports channel. Food being served to the rich and those who could afford it. The thought entered his mind but too much was at stake for Lucus. He wasn't in a secured financal situation, his girlfriend was in a better situation than him, however, the thought of being with her in the same bed was daunting. It wasn't the fact they weren't married, it was the fact that if it did happen and it was announced she was pregent, he would be drafted into the Legion. Why? It was Lynion Law that if the father couldn't provide for the mother and their child/ren, then they would be drafted into the army where part of their pay check goes to help out the mother and child/ren.

Lucus quietly put the thought aside. He was going to wait until he was a lieutenant in the legion, however, between the two jobs, Lucus was sure he was going to be alright with the world. The main things that kept him together was his girlfriend and the favour he was given from his only uncle, and currently surviving family relative. He forced it out of his mind when he entered the room they he was staying it and his mouth opened. The room itself was luxury itself let alone, the beds, the bathrooms and the furniture alone was just so much luxury thrown right at him. It was all too much for him and he nodded to himself.

"Holy crap," he muttered to himself as he checked out the place. It was like a two year old with their first toy that moves to him. "Guess this is my bed," he added as he found a bed and placed his bag on the bed.

Lucus studied his short selveed shirt and pulled it backwards to expose empty spots along his belt. Opening the bag, Lucus found a conceled part and opened it to take out a line of vials. The vials all were different substances for different reasons. Different colour indiecating the the strength. Lucus' hands meet together and his lips turned into a grin when he looked at all 26 full vials and 12 empty vials. He placed six empty vials around his back right side on the belt to collect samples. 12 vials were placed on his sides, all different in their ways. Some were of healing, others were acids and then the remaining few were poisons. Lucus picked up one vial that made him shiver. It was a green coloured substance and it was a unquie rare poison to be found in the world and one that didn't have an antidope developed. Lucus had sworn to protect its secret's and that meant he couldn't leave it out of sight. Taking it carefully, he placed it around his left leg where it was conceled. Tucking his cargo pants over them, Lucus pulled up the right part of the pants to expose his right leg along with a slot for something. Lucus went through his bag again and found his long bayonet wheich he carefully placed in the slot and then placed the clothing back over it. For anyone entering the room, they wouldn't be able to notice it unless pointed out by Lucus. Grinning to himself, he kicked off his runners and took up his pad and started to write another letter to Delphina. A letter about how luxury the room they were staying at but keeping details to a min as if he was treating it like he was on tour. Just the simple life was all that he enjoyed.

[Maurepas]

Hebert woke up a few hours later, the stale taste of Bourbon in his mouth. He went into the bathroom, it was pretty well stocked for a hotel suite, and it wasn't long before he was feeling refreshed, it was still dark out, and he wasn't sure exactly when anyone would arrive. So, he decided to go down and hit the tables.

The Casino was done up in a red and gold motif with gold wallpaper, and red carpeting, exiting the elevator he took an escalator down to the Gambling levels, there was a smattering of card tables divided between Black Jack and Three-Card poker and smoke filled the air. He walked up to the bar, which was done in an old-world style and ordered a Whiskey-Sour and a bag of tobacco with rolling papers, and then decided to take a seat at the Black Jack table. Rolling himself a cigarette, he placed a few chips in the betting circle, as he took a sip from his drink, a band struck up a tune on the stage at the center...


There's an angel on the stairs
(as if you'd even care)...

He was dealt a 9 of Hearts and a 3 of Spades, the dealer had a Jack of Diamonds, he figured he oughta hit, so he tapped the table lightly, and took another drag on his cigarette. He was dealt a 5 of Clubs, it was a tough call, he only had 17, he took a final drag on the Cigarette, put it out in the tray, and sipped his drink as he signaled a stay. The dealer flipped her second card over revealing a 6 of Spades.

...Going to make twenty dollars
before the weekends over.


Hebert smiled, the dealer had to hit at less than 17, he rolled another cigarette as she was dealt a 10 of Hearts. Bust, Hebert took a drag as his money was doubled on the table. leaving his chips in the betting circle, he had every hope of making alot more than 20 dollars tonight...

So set him up,
Let him fall.
Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.

[Muravyets]

After a little more thought and planning, Karel agreed with Sofiya that there was no time for a mountain hike. He found one direct flight from Muravyets to Maurepas that would get them there as much as an hour and a half earlier. He booked two first class tickets and emailed the flight itineraries to Hebert, with a copy to PIT. Quickly, he packed a bag - toiletries, underwear, a pair of light colored summer trousers, a white cotton shirt, a couple of t-shirts, all folded neatly in a leather shoulder bag together with hard copies of the case file and a laptop computer. He laid out a light gray summer suit, white shirt, tan canvas vans to wear on the trip. In his pockets, he would carry his usual kit of credit card, two phones (one the standard PIT issue and one his own, high-end PDA), and of course, his "little black book" in which he carried all of what he called his connections.

Finally, he settled down to enjoy the comforts of the garden and the house with Sofiya until it was time to catch the train to Prazhal, the capital city of Muravyets, and the airport.

The journey went smoothly. Karel used the time in the air to look up more information about their destination - its terrain, weather, food, government, etc. - and to chat with Sofiya about possible approaches to the case.

He reviewed Hebert’s file - an old mansion, site of bad deeds and mass death, long believed to be haunted by spirits propitiated with offerings. That part made sense to Karel, as the dead were treated similarly in the traditional old spiritist religion of the Muravians.

“But clearly something has disturbed the balance with the spirits”, he commented to Sofiya at one point in their conversation about it, “if they are both appearing and creating other disturbances suddenly. Construction on old buildings often uncovers things best left buried.”

Still, Karel reminded himself that there could be many causes of the apparent haunting they were being called to, so he did his best not to jump to any more conclusions.

They were processed through the airport in Maurepas quickly and stepped out of the terminal building into a thick, humid heat that Karel wasn’t expecting so late at night, since it was already after ten o’clock. He whistled his surprise to Sofiya as he slipped off the jacket to carry on his arm. The pale-eyed, gray-haired man in the light gray suit, carrying his bag on his shoulder, linked his arm with the beautiful young woman at his side and hailed a cab.

“The Silver Slipper, please, in Bay--”

“Bay St. Louis, you got it, boss,” the driver declared in an accent similar to Hebert’s. “Everybody knows where the Silver Slipper is,” adding with a wink, “You and the young missus gonna enjoy your stay there.”

Karel shared a grin with Sofiya as they headed out onto the busy urban streets. Despite the late hour, traffic was active and businesses were open and lively. The driver threaded an expert path along a route he knew well, and arrived in relatively short time at the shining new Silver Slipper Resort and Casino, its massive red and gold sign blazing against the night sky, bathing the carpark adorned with planted beds and water features in its fiery light.

Karel put his jacket back on before entering with Sofiya, sharing another smile. Whatever this case might hold in store, it was certainly starting out very differently from the few others he had done for PIT so far. The woman at the reception desk smiled with professional delight as they walked up.

“Karel Hrabak and Ms. Sofiya Dolohov to meet Mr. William Hebert,” Karel said as he handed over his passport as ID.

“Of course. Welcome to the Silver Slipper,” the woman beamed. “You’re in VIP Suite 612, left of the elevator on the sixth floor. Y’all have a great night now.”

The elevator rose smooth and silent and opened onto a hushed, carpeted hallway. A few steps down to Suite 612. Karel opened the door with the one of the keycards the woman had given him and Sofiya, revealing a living room converted into a conference room, with a long table and chairs all around, a printer and phone and other small office equipment. No one else was there.

"Hm." Karel dropped his bag on the floor next to the table. He noticed a room service menu on a credenza next to the phone. Under it was a mini refrigerator stocked with a bar's worth of tiny liquor bottles and soft drinks. Karel helped himself to a bottle of water and picked up the phone, dialing "0".

"This is Mr. Hrabak in Suite 612," he said when the operator answered. "Could you page Mr. William Hebert and let him know we've arrived, please? Thank you."

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Sofiya took the time to pack for both business, and work – thinking of several reasons her little black dress or the soft cotton babydoll ensembles could come in handy, along with some more casual suit sorts, and standard cargo pants or jeans. Sandals, a pair of moderate heels, and her reserve boots all found a spot amidst the other items and unmentionables, basic toiletries and the like. Plan for everything without over-packing – that was the trick. And after all her time traveling, she’d gotten the hang of it well enough.

Her usual kit she’d resupplied and kept neatly packed in bottles, sealed containers, and separate plastic bags, which had proven a lifesaver in the past. Given the local color, as she understood it, she had little doubt that any further supplies needed could likely be gotten if one knew where to look or who to ask. Her notebook, basic weaponry that she always preferred to keep on hand, phone and laptop, all were checked and packed accordingly. One item she’d picked up more recently was a small but serviceable digital camera – all the better to make quick records of things needed, or capture a few memories where appropriate.

Ident and cards all seemed to be in order, as well as the various accounts she’d set up for her funds. Choosing a light summer jacket, cami, and slacks in all in cream or khaki colors, and sandals for later, she rejoined Karel for the time they had, fully intending to leave White Springs on a positive, memorable note.

She was quite relaxed during the trip, leaned back in her seat listening to Karel’s thoughts on the mission ahead. She didn’t begrudge leaving to help their friend – she already felt she owed the man quite a bit herself. And in truth, she was secretly intrigued by the story and surrounding local color even without her base motivation. Not that it was all that much of a secret to the man sitting next to her. He tended to read her rather well, and no doubt had picked up on her enthusiasm while they discussed this point or that.

Damn the man, she thought, an affectionate smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“It could be something simple, granted,” she acknowledged at one point. Her instincts said differently, but going in half-cocked wasn’t going to help anyone. He had much more experience with spirits and a good deal of the rest, after all, and she was more than willing to listen to sound advice when he gave it. “And one would think, if so, that situation would be easiest to remedy. But we’ll see soon enough.”

The climate reminded her of the southern coast of the Dominion, in places. Very different from her northerly, mountainous home. She smiled in response to Karel’s reaction, adjusting her bag while he called them a cab, grinning perhaps a bit mischievously at the ‘young missus’ comment by the driver. She took the opportunity of the ride to snuggle up next to him a bit, in spite of the heat, one hand resting casually on his leg.

Her eyes lit up as they pulled in to the casino and made their way inside. The lights, the atmosphere, even the accents of the natives was infectious, in a rather good way. “Oh I think I’m going to like it here,” she murmured as they rode up in the elevator.

“Getting the high-roller’s treatment here, aren’t we?” she asked as they made themselves comfortable in the suite. “You don’t happen to know who else was assigned, do you?” Sofiya stowed her bag off to one side, out of the way, taking out her laptop and getting it set up in a spot on the table. “Mind grabbing me a soda when you’ve a moment?”

[Muravyets]

Karel hung up the phone after asking to have Hebert paged.

"No, I don't know who's been assigned yet," he said. "PIT hadn't emailed by the time we got off the plane. Understandable. I gave them almost no notice."

He handed her a soda from the fridge and a cup from the tray on the credenza, and joined her at the table, sinking into the comfortable swivel chair. He checked his watch.

"At this hour, I doubt we'll set out to work before morning," he speculated. "I mean, if we're among the first to arrive. So..." he reached over to grab the room service menu, "should we think about ordering a late supper?"

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

“I don’t see why not,” she says, leaning back and crossing her legs while opening the bottle. “I wouldn’t mind sampling some of the local cuisine, myself. Did you notice all the scents and sounds while we were coming in? It’s all … hrm. Just so alive, and warm.”

Sofiya drank straight from the bottle, her pinky finger lightly lifted in a delicate curve all the same. She pondered for a moment, looking over at Karel with a curious little half smile, swirling the bottle’s contents slowly in her hand.

“Who knows. If we have time after we meet with Hebert, perhaps you wouldn’t mind doing a bit of exploring of the place with me?”

[Muravyets]

Karel grinned at her mischievous play with the soda bottle. He ran his eye over the menu.

"Well, it says here, the lounge downstairs serves a bar menu until one in the morning. Live music, too. I'm looking at the Oysters Ohan - Creole. Eggplant and andouille sausage? Sounds local."

He winked and reached for the phone again.

"What do you say, Ms. Dolohov? Should I order some up, and we can have seconds after the meeting? Or should I tell them to send Hebert to find us in the lounge, and we have our meeting over breakfast tomorrow?"

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

“Oh I think we’d best stay put until we’ve at least talked with the man. This is where we were instructed to meet, and this is where we’ll be expected – as tempting as other options may be. Business first, Mr. Hrabak,” Sofiya replied with an arch little look. “But by all means, order away. All that travel has piqued my appetite.”

As an aside, knowing full well he knew she liked her sweets, she mentioned the last casually. "But would you mind including those strawberries for dessert? They sound delicious."

[Muravyets]

With another grin, Karel picked up the phone. Reading off the menu, he ordered Oysters Ohan for two, a side of souffle potatoes, the strawberry dessert, and to drink... with an arch look in return to Sofiya, Karel ordered a pot of coffee.

"Business first," he said with exaggerated resignation, as he hung up the phone. "Now let's at least get set up for a meeting, whether it happens now or later."

Opening his shoulder bag, he took out the laptop and papers. He accessed his email. "Ah, PIT has sent a roster. Hm...two new names, and Tony." His smile broadening, as it rarely did, Karel showed Sofiya the list.

"I hope they can all get here on such short notice."

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

“Tony?” Sofiya asked, perking up and smiling thoughtfully at the name. “Ah, but I do adore that man. I dare say the three of us have been a good match, all in all. You know, I’m still not used to the whole ‘team’ aspect of these things, but in considering, I’m finding it not as limiting as I once thought it might be. It’s good to have people you can depend on. Never mind the unexpected benefits.”

The first part was delivered quite innocently, with a genuine affection for Tony clear with no hidden meanings behind it. The last sentence, however, she offered with a sly sidelong look at Karel, even as she turned her attention to her own computer, doing a bit of internet research on the local area.

[Justorica]

Xeri got off his plane. He had been assigned to a case, a haunted plantation or something like that. Xeri was somewhat excited, his first case. He looked at his PDA and saw he was supposed to head to the Silver Slipper hotel. He went outside and flagged a taxi.

Thirty minutes later he was at the hotel. He paid the taxi drier and headed inside the hotel. At the front desk he told the person his name, and was given a VIP Suite. Xeri immediately headed to the VIP suite he was told to.

As he headed up all he could think of was that he was about to solve a case and earn himself some experience.

[Muravyets]

Karel shot her a "naughty-naughty" glance and smile, but he also nodded.

"Unexpected indeed," he said, with a double meaning. On one hand, he was thinking of the surprise that had been his first meeting with Sofiya and the emotions that had taken him over almost from the moment he'd first seen her, first looked into those hazel-green eyes and heard that elegant, mixed accent. And on the other hand, "I've always thought of myself as a solo operator. I can count on one hand the number of times I've partnered with others before joining up with PIT, but now, I have a hard time imagining not working with some of these people."

A knock on the door, and a waiter wheeled in a cart with their dinner order. Quickly, dishes were uncovered, revealing beautifully plated food and clouds of fragrant steam. A dinner service for two was laid on one end of the conference table, two cups of coffee were poured to start them off, and Karel tipped the waiter and closed the door after him.

"Well, Ms. Dolohov," he said, raising his coffee cup in a toast, "to teamwork."

[Maurepas]

Hebert was standing in the cash-out line with his chips in hand, he'd made quite a mint, probably not quite enough to pay the extra 10% he owed, but, not bad for a night's work. He was chewing on the end of his Cigar, and periodically taking drags on it when a scantily clad cocktail waitress walked up to him, she was young and good looking, but she appeared a bit shaken, probably recognized the Fleur-de-Lys, he thought, most Maurepasans were blissfully unaware of the Guilds existence, but, it had become somewhat of an open secret to fear anyone with their cultural symbol branded on the neck, he'd heard once that the tradition actually went back to criminals in France, but, he had no way of corroborating that, "Sir, y-your, uh, guests have arrived in Suite 612", she said. "Thank you, I'll be there shortly", he replied, placing a 5L chip on her tray as a tip.

That was quicker than he'd thought, he figured he'd underestimated just how much pull Karel really had. Once he'd cashed out, he put the money in his wallet, letting the chain clink into it's original place. He purchased a Macchiato at the coffee shop before taking the escalator up to the elevator. Hebert was a bit nervous, he himself didn't have all the information, and what little he had he didn't understand, the PIT had been plagued with such cases his entire tenure with the group, uninformed, misinformation, and everytime it'd turned out to be a mess, he just hoped that his case wouldn't be the same.

As he entered the suite, he noticed Karel and Sofiya sitting at the conference table eating a meal, probably didn't come from the bar or the buffet, that, bet it cost a pretty penny, he thought, chuckling as he said, "Mes amis, it's been too long, and I apologize it isn't under more friendly circumstances, I hope I'm not interrupting?"

[Justorica]

Xeri got to the suite and knocked on the door.

"I's Xeri, from PIT. i was told to come here."

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

The young woman merely arched one brow up as a teasing challenge in response to his return look, then went back to reading up on the area, her own thoughts on several points causing her to smile in spite of it all now and then. Things had taken a very unexpected track, to be sure. And so far, she wasn’t opposed to where they’d been heading. Where it would all end up, she had no idea, but for now, the journey itself was one she intended to continue exploring. As much as she knew and understood of the man, as much as they’d shared, there was still so much that was a mystery.

Fortunately, mysteries and the unknown were passions of hers. Among other things.

Sofiya set aside her laptop when the food was brought in, taking in the sight and scent of it all with an air of expectation. She scooted her chair over a bit closer to the man she’d chosen to involve herself so deeply with, taking up her cup with one of the warm smiles she saved just for him.

“To teamwork, Mr. Hrabak. And to a successful resolution to this case.”

When Hebert arrived, Sofiya got to her feet and walked over to greet the man, offering a friendly embrace, and a quick kiss on each cheek by way of greeting. “Not at all, my friend. Happy we can be of service, of course. Have you had something to eat, or heard from any of the others?”

She walked back to her seat, but didn’t sit back down just yet, waiting to give Karel the opportunity to make his greetings as well. At which point a knock at the door caught her attention. "Well come in, man. No point standing in the hall."

[Muravyets]

Karel rose along with Sofiya when Hebert entered, and took his hand warmly when she had greeted him. "Interrupting? Not at all. Here, have some oysters. We've been thinking about the case and the team. I only just got the roster from PIT."

At that moment, a voice spoke up from the door - a muscular, athletic man, about thirty-ish by his looks.

"Xeri?" he repeated the name, checking the team roster PIT had sent. "Yes, come in. You're new to PIT, I see. Welcome aboard. I'm Karel Hrabak. I'm the leader on this case. Our team mates here are Sofiya Dolohov and William Hebert. Mr. Hebert is also our local liaison on the case. Have you eaten? It's not too late to order something light."

Meals were one of the reimbursable expenses for all PIT teams in the field, and as Karel believed in keeping his team well fueled and energized, he liked to put such things on his own credit card, since he could afford the out-of-pocket more easily than many of the other investigators.

As he welcomed the new man in, he quickly opened and skimmed the personnel file PIT had sent with their email. Xeri'Vi Zyuna, of Justorica, a paranormal investigator and former intelligence agent - and a man of few words, by first impressions. Karel nodded to himself as he read the brief file. He slid the menu towards the open end of the table, where Hebert and Xeri could take it if they wanted.